GAVIN CROMWELL: BETDAQ Brand Ambassador Gavin Cromwell looks ahead to Come September’s first start at Killarney during a busy couple of days for the yard.
We didn’t expect Darver Star to come out again and do what he did on Wednesday at Killarney. We actually rung the handicapper to say we thought he’d been harshly treated after win at Downpatrick, but in fairness he was right as he’s won again in pretty easy fashion. It was a special win for us too as it was our 50th of the year and hopefully we can keep it going.
He’s clearly improving at a rate of knots and while we haven’t made any plans on where he’ll go next, there are a number of options that we’re looking at over the next month or so.
Killarney Friday
Static Jack makes his third start for the yard in the handicap hurdle (5.55pm). He’s a course and distance winner and while he’s up eight pounds for that win last time, he’s fit and well and we’re hoping for another good run. If he’s in the same form as the last day, I don’t see any reason why he won’t go close again.
Spades Are Trumps runs in the same race and he comes into this off the back of a nice run at Galway. If he improves from that, which we’re expecting him to do, then he should be there or thereabouts as well.
The soft conditions at Galway definitely weren’t in Bentham’s favour at Galway and we’re hoping the drying ground will see him to a better effect here (8.00pm). It looks a pretty strong bumper on paper, with Joseph O’Brien’s seemingly the one to beat. He’s probably up against it to beat him, but a repeat of his Bellewstown win from July would give him a chance.
Curragh Friday
Over at the Curragh, we run Ciao in the fillies handicap (7.40pm). She stayed on nicely at Galway the last day, so we’re stepping her up to 1m4f here. She’s run well over the trip before, so we’re hoping for a good showing and some prize money.
Killarney Saturday
Princess Mayson starts off life in the nursery handicap (1.20pm) after running okay in a couple of maidens. We’re not sure where we stand with her and she hasn’t got the best draw in 10, though we think a mark of 67 means she should be competitive.
Come September (1.55pm) makes her first start for the yard having won on her debut for Willie McCreery in June. She’s a really nice type who we’re excited to have in the yard. She’s shown plenty at home and if she can translate that to the track on Saturday, we’re hopeful she should be involved.
Kilbeggan Saturday
Power Sail (6.40pm) has had a couple of small issues but he’s ready to start back now. We’re not expecting too much back on his first run though and it’s just a matter of seeing where we stand with him after it.
The ground drying out will be good news for Toosey in the handicap chase (7.40pm). He seems to be better over fences than he is hurdles and if he can put it all together, he should go there with a decent chance in an open-looking contest.
